Nine years ago, a teenage Sam Burgess took on the most destructive runner in rugby league and announced his arrival on the world stage.

In the closing stages of Great Britain’s win over New Zealand at Huddersfield, Burgess planted his feet as the fearsome Fuifui Moimoi charged straight at him - and promptly dumped his formidable opponent to the ground.

A million YouTube hits later, Burgess was a star on both sides of the world despite being just 18.

On Saturday, he returns to the same ground against the same opponents as England’s captain - and with a significant amount of water having passed under the bridge.

But amid endless dissection of his ill-fated spell in rugby union, and his superstar status with Russell Crowe’s South Sydney Down Under, memories of that iconic tackle remain fresh.

Burgess exploded on to the international scene nine years ago (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

The South Sydney forward will make his captaincy bow at the same stadium (Image: Action Images via Reuters)

Burgess said: “It feels like two minutes ago but it’s nine years now - it’s crazy.

“You could say it announced me, but I didn’t know it was going to happen. I just got in front of someone and it looked quite good.

“I remember feeling nerves and emotion before the game.

“But I felt comfortable on the field surrounded by some great men - Jamie Peacock, Adrian Morley, Gareth Ellis and Terry Newton.

“There were some wonderful players that made it easier for me. Now I can pass on that same experience being an older guy in the squad, to some of the young guys playing their first tournament.”